CrucisSt. Achilles Kiwanuka
St. Achilles Kiwanuka was one of the Martyrs of Uganda, a young convert who served as a page at the court of King Mwanga II of Buganda and received the Catholic faith from the missionaries and the older Christian pages. Like his companions, he refused to abandon his faith or submit to the corruption of the court when the king turned against the Christians.
Condemned in the persecution of 1886, he was among the group of young men led on the long march to Namugongo and there burned alive on 3 June 1886, dying in the company of St. Charles Lwanga and the other pages. He gave his life rather than deny Christ. Canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1964, he is celebrated among the Uganda Martyrs on 3 June.
Selected quotes
“Stand among your brothers in the flame, for shared courage strengthens each.”
“Give your life gladly for the Name, and you lose nothing you will not gain forever.”
“Do not weigh your life against the loss of your soul; choose Christ and keep both.”